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| 1 | +# ROS 2 Actions Examples |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +This directory contains examples demonstrating ROS 2 action-based communication using rclnodejs. Actions provide a more complex communication pattern than topics or services, designed for long-running tasks that require feedback and can be canceled. |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +## Overview |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +ROS 2 actions are built on top of topics and services to provide: |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +- **Goal**: A request to perform some long-running task |
| 10 | +- **Feedback**: Periodic updates on progress during task execution |
| 11 | +- **Result**: The final outcome when the task completes |
| 12 | +- **Cancellation**: Ability to stop the task before completion |
| 13 | + |
| 14 | +Actions are ideal for: |
| 15 | + |
| 16 | +- Navigation tasks (moving a robot to a location) |
| 17 | +- Long-running computations |
| 18 | +- Tasks that need progress updates |
| 19 | +- Operations that might need to be canceled |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +## Action Examples |
| 22 | + |
| 23 | +### Action Client Examples |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +The `action_client/` directory contains examples of nodes that send goals to action servers: |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +#### 1. Basic Action Client (`action-client-example.js`) |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +**Purpose**: Demonstrates basic action client functionality with the Fibonacci action. |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +- **Action Type**: `test_msgs/action/Fibonacci` |
| 32 | +- **Action Name**: `fibonacci` |
| 33 | +- **Functionality**: |
| 34 | + - Sends a goal to compute Fibonacci sequence up to order 10 |
| 35 | + - Receives and logs feedback during execution |
| 36 | + - Waits for final result and logs success/failure |
| 37 | + - Automatically shuts down after completion |
| 38 | +- **Features**: |
| 39 | + - Server availability checking with `waitForServer()` |
| 40 | + - Goal acceptance verification |
| 41 | + - Feedback handling during execution |
| 42 | + - Result processing with status checking |
| 43 | +- **Run Command**: `node action_client/action-client-example.js` |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +#### 2. Action Client with Cancellation (`action-client-cancel-example.js`) |
| 46 | + |
| 47 | +**Purpose**: Demonstrates how to cancel an action goal during execution. |
| 48 | + |
| 49 | +- **Action Type**: `test_msgs/action/Fibonacci` |
| 50 | +- **Action Name**: `fibonacci` |
| 51 | +- **Functionality**: |
| 52 | + - Sends a goal to compute Fibonacci sequence up to order 10 |
| 53 | + - Receives feedback for 2 seconds |
| 54 | + - Automatically cancels the goal after timer expires |
| 55 | + - Logs cancellation success/failure |
| 56 | +- **Features**: |
| 57 | + - Timer-based cancellation mechanism |
| 58 | + - Goal cancellation with `cancelGoal()` |
| 59 | + - Cancellation response verification |
| 60 | + - Cleanup and shutdown handling |
| 61 | +- **Run Command**: `node action_client/action-client-cancel-example.js` |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +### Action Server Examples |
| 64 | + |
| 65 | +The `action_server/` directory contains examples of nodes that provide action services: |
| 66 | + |
| 67 | +#### 1. Basic Action Server (`action-server-example.js`) |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +**Purpose**: Demonstrates basic action server implementation for computing Fibonacci sequences. |
| 70 | + |
| 71 | +- **Action Type**: `test_msgs/action/Fibonacci` |
| 72 | +- **Action Name**: `fibonacci` |
| 73 | +- **Functionality**: |
| 74 | + - Accepts goals to compute Fibonacci sequences |
| 75 | + - Publishes feedback with incremental sequence updates |
| 76 | + - Returns complete sequence as result |
| 77 | + - Supports goal cancellation during execution |
| 78 | +- **Features**: |
| 79 | + - Goal acceptance callback (`goalCallback`) |
| 80 | + - Execution callback with feedback publishing |
| 81 | + - Cancellation handling (`cancelCallback`) |
| 82 | + - Progress updates every second |
| 83 | +- **Run Command**: `node action_server/action-server-example.js` |
| 84 | + |
| 85 | +#### 2. Deferred Execution Server (`action-server-defer-example.js`) |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | +**Purpose**: Shows how to defer goal execution using timers and handle accepted callbacks. |
| 88 | + |
| 89 | +- **Action Type**: `test_msgs/action/Fibonacci` |
| 90 | +- **Action Name**: `fibonacci` |
| 91 | +- **Functionality**: |
| 92 | + - Accepts goals immediately but defers execution for 3 seconds |
| 93 | + - Uses timer to delay goal execution start |
| 94 | + - Demonstrates deferred execution pattern |
| 95 | + - Same Fibonacci computation as basic server |
| 96 | +- **Features**: |
| 97 | + - Goal acceptance with deferred execution |
| 98 | + - Handle accepted callback (`handleAcceptedCallback`) |
| 99 | + - Timer-based execution control |
| 100 | + - Manual goal execution triggering |
| 101 | +- **Run Command**: `node action_server/action-server-defer-example.js` |
| 102 | + |
| 103 | +#### 3. Single Goal Server (`action-server-single-goal-example.js`) |
| 104 | + |
| 105 | +**Purpose**: Demonstrates a server that only allows one active goal at a time. |
| 106 | + |
| 107 | +- **Action Type**: `test_msgs/action/Fibonacci` |
| 108 | +- **Action Name**: `fibonacci` |
| 109 | +- **Functionality**: |
| 110 | + - Accepts new goals but aborts any currently active goal |
| 111 | + - Ensures only one goal executes at a time |
| 112 | + - Tracks active goal state |
| 113 | + - Same Fibonacci computation with single-goal constraint |
| 114 | +- **Features**: |
| 115 | + - Single goal enforcement |
| 116 | + - Automatic abortion of previous goals |
| 117 | + - Goal state tracking (`isActive`) |
| 118 | + - Handle accepted callback for goal management |
| 119 | +- **Run Command**: `node action_server/action-server-single-goal-example.js` |
| 120 | + |
| 121 | +## How to Run the Examples |
| 122 | + |
| 123 | +### Prerequisites |
| 124 | + |
| 125 | +1. Ensure ROS 2 is installed and sourced |
| 126 | +2. Navigate to the `example/actions` directory |
| 127 | + |
| 128 | +### Running Complete Action Examples |
| 129 | + |
| 130 | +#### Basic Action Communication |
| 131 | + |
| 132 | +1. **Start the Action Server**: In one terminal, run: |
| 133 | + |
| 134 | + ```bash |
| 135 | + cd example/actions |
| 136 | + node action_server/action-server-example.js |
| 137 | + ``` |
| 138 | + |
| 139 | + You should see: |
| 140 | + |
| 141 | + ``` |
| 142 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Action server started |
| 143 | + ``` |
| 144 | + |
| 145 | +2. **Start the Action Client**: In another terminal, run: |
| 146 | + |
| 147 | + ```bash |
| 148 | + cd example/actions |
| 149 | + node action_client/action-client-example.js |
| 150 | + ``` |
| 151 | + |
| 152 | +3. **Expected Output**: |
| 153 | + |
| 154 | + **Action Server Terminal**: |
| 155 | + |
| 156 | + ``` |
| 157 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Received goal request |
| 158 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Executing goal... |
| 159 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Publishing feedback: 0,1 |
| 160 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Publishing feedback: 0,1,1 |
| 161 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Publishing feedback: 0,1,1,2 |
| 162 | + ... |
| 163 | + [INFO] [action_server_example_node]: Returning result: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55 |
| 164 | + ``` |
| 165 | + |
| 166 | + **Action Client Terminal**: |
| 167 | + |
| 168 | + ``` |
| 169 | + [INFO] [action_client_example_node]: Waiting for action server... |
| 170 | + [INFO] [action_client_example_node]: Sending goal request... |
| 171 | + [INFO] [action_client_example_node]: Goal accepted |
| 172 | + [INFO] [action_client_example_node]: Received feedback: 0,1 |
| 173 | + [INFO] [action_client_example_node]: Received feedback: 0,1,1 |
| 174 | + ... |
| 175 | + [INFO] [action_client_example_node]: Goal succeeded with result: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55 |
| 176 | + ``` |
| 177 | + |
| 178 | +#### Action Cancellation Example |
| 179 | + |
| 180 | +1. **Start Server**: Run any action server example |
| 181 | +2. **Start Cancellation Client**: |
| 182 | + ```bash |
| 183 | + node action_client/action-client-cancel-example.js |
| 184 | + ``` |
| 185 | +3. **Expected Behavior**: Client sends goal, receives feedback for 2 seconds, then cancels |
| 186 | + |
| 187 | +#### Specialized Server Examples |
| 188 | + |
| 189 | +- **Deferred Execution**: Use `action-server-defer-example.js` to see 3-second execution delay |
| 190 | +- **Single Goal**: Use `action-server-single-goal-example.js` to test goal abortion behavior |
| 191 | + |
| 192 | +## Action Components Explained |
| 193 | + |
| 194 | +### Action Message Structure |
| 195 | + |
| 196 | +The `test_msgs/action/Fibonacci` action consists of: |
| 197 | + |
| 198 | +``` |
| 199 | +# Goal |
| 200 | +int32 order |
| 201 | +--- |
| 202 | +# Result |
| 203 | +int32[] sequence |
| 204 | +--- |
| 205 | +# Feedback |
| 206 | +int32[] sequence |
| 207 | +``` |
| 208 | + |
| 209 | +### Key Concepts Demonstrated |
| 210 | + |
| 211 | +#### Action Client Concepts |
| 212 | + |
| 213 | +- **Goal Sending**: Using `sendGoal()` with feedback callbacks |
| 214 | +- **Server Discovery**: Waiting for action servers with `waitForServer()` |
| 215 | +- **Goal Status**: Checking acceptance and completion status |
| 216 | +- **Feedback Handling**: Processing incremental updates during execution |
| 217 | +- **Result Processing**: Handling final results and status |
| 218 | +- **Goal Cancellation**: Canceling active goals with `cancelGoal()` |
| 219 | + |
| 220 | +#### Action Server Concepts |
| 221 | + |
| 222 | +- **Goal Callbacks**: Accepting or rejecting incoming goals |
| 223 | +- **Execution Callbacks**: Implementing the actual action logic |
| 224 | +- **Feedback Publishing**: Sending progress updates to clients |
| 225 | +- **Result Handling**: Returning final results upon completion |
| 226 | +- **Cancellation Support**: Responding to cancellation requests |
| 227 | +- **Goal State Management**: Tracking active goals and their status |
| 228 | + |
| 229 | +#### Advanced Patterns |
| 230 | + |
| 231 | +- **Deferred Execution**: Accepting goals but delaying execution start |
| 232 | +- **Single Goal Servers**: Limiting concurrent goal execution |
| 233 | +- **Goal Abortion**: Terminating active goals when new ones arrive |
| 234 | +- **Timer Integration**: Using ROS timers for delayed operations |
| 235 | + |
| 236 | +## Programming Patterns |
| 237 | + |
| 238 | +### Class-Based Architecture |
| 239 | + |
| 240 | +All examples use ES6 classes to encapsulate action functionality: |
| 241 | + |
| 242 | +- Clean separation of client/server logic |
| 243 | +- Proper callback binding with `bind(this)` |
| 244 | +- State management through instance variables |
| 245 | + |
| 246 | +### Asynchronous Operations |
| 247 | + |
| 248 | +- **Async/Await**: Modern JavaScript patterns for goal handling |
| 249 | +- **Promises**: Integration with ROS action lifecycle |
| 250 | +- **Callbacks**: Feedback and result processing |
| 251 | + |
| 252 | +### Resource Management |
| 253 | + |
| 254 | +- **Timer Cleanup**: Proper timer cancellation |
| 255 | +- **Goal Tracking**: Maintaining references to active goals |
| 256 | +- **Shutdown Handling**: Clean node shutdown after completion |
| 257 | + |
| 258 | +## Troubleshooting |
| 259 | + |
| 260 | +### Common Issues |
| 261 | + |
| 262 | +1. **Action Server Not Available**: |
| 263 | + |
| 264 | + - Ensure action server is running before starting client |
| 265 | + - Check that both use the same action name (`fibonacci`) |
| 266 | + - Verify action type matches (`test_msgs/action/Fibonacci`) |
| 267 | + |
| 268 | +2. **Goal Not Accepted**: |
| 269 | + |
| 270 | + - Check server's `goalCallback` return value |
| 271 | + - Verify goal message structure is correct |
| 272 | + - Ensure server is properly initialized |
| 273 | + |
| 274 | +3. **Missing Feedback**: |
| 275 | + |
| 276 | + - Confirm feedback callback is properly bound |
| 277 | + - Check server's `publishFeedback()` calls |
| 278 | + - Verify feedback message structure |
| 279 | + |
| 280 | +4. **Cancellation Issues**: |
| 281 | + - Ensure server implements `cancelCallback` |
| 282 | + - Check `isCancelRequested` in execution loop |
| 283 | + - Verify proper `goalHandle.canceled()` calls |
| 284 | + |
| 285 | +### Debugging Tips |
| 286 | + |
| 287 | +- Use `ros2 action list` to see available actions |
| 288 | +- Use `ros2 action info <action_name>` to check action details |
| 289 | +- Use `ros2 action send_goal <action_name> <action_type> <goal>` to test from command line |
| 290 | +- Monitor action topics: `/_action/status`, `/_action/feedback`, `/_action/result` |
| 291 | + |
| 292 | +## Notes |
| 293 | + |
| 294 | +- All examples use the Fibonacci sequence computation as a representative long-running task |
| 295 | +- Action servers run continuously until manually terminated (Ctrl+C) |
| 296 | +- Action clients typically complete one goal cycle then exit |
| 297 | +- Goals are processed with 1-second intervals to demonstrate feedback clearly |
| 298 | +- Cancellation examples use timers to simulate real-world cancellation scenarios |
| 299 | +- Single goal servers demonstrate resource management for concurrent requests |
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